Public Management

Healthcare: SSA spends $8.4bn each year to tackle HAIs, Study Finds

Healthcare: SSA spends $8.4bn each year to tackle HAIs, Study Finds
Monday, 08 April 2024 14:06

Sub-Saharan Africa spends $8.4 billion each year to fight infections acquired within healthcare facilities, according to a comprehensive study published on April 7 by the global NGO WaterAid and the World Bank. This significant financial burden equates to an average of 4.5% of the region’s annual health budget, the study conducted in Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Uganda, Mali, and Ghana finds.

3d44fcafdc9643e1896e3e52e556b L

Titled "Counting the Cost of Healthcare-Acquired Infections in Sub-Saharan Africa," it highlights the lack of cleanliness and hygiene measures during medical care and recovery phases as the main factors contributing to the prevalence of these infections. HAIs, including sepsis and pneumonia, are not only a major financial strain but also lead to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths each year in the region. The research raises alarms over the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, which exacerbates the impact of these infections and is linked to nearly five million global deaths a year. 

The highest rates of infection were recorded in intensive care units, neonatal services, and pediatric wards, the report said. Malawi emerges as the most severely affected, allocating an average of 2.9% of its GDP and 10.9% of its annual health budget to the treatment and management of HAIs.

3d4afdc9643e1896e3e52e556b L

The study suggests that up to half of the deaths related to HAIs in Sub-Saharan Africa could be preventable with better access to handwashing facilities, clean water, and adequate sanitation. This finding not only underscores the critical need for enhanced hygiene practices in healthcare settings but also highlights a straightforward and effective path toward reducing both the human and financial costs of healthcare-acquired infections in the region.

Additional Info

  • communiques: Non
  • couleur: N/A
On the same topic
• The IMF has approved an immediate disbursement of $367 million to Ghana, bringing the total financial support provided to the country since May...
Zenith Bank is in advanced talks to acquire a tier-two bank in Kenya. The Central Bank of Kenya has raised capital requirements, triggering market...
• DPI acquires minority stake in Egypt’s largest private hospital group• Funds to support expansion across Egypt and key Gulf countries• Investment among...
WAEMU states collectively raised nearly 7,000 billion CFA francs in the first half of 2025, a record amount driven by increased financing needs, the...
Most Read
01

• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from...

Coffee: Global Consumption Expected to Reach Record Level in 2025/2026
02

• Investors seem to keep focusing on yields, which are high for the moment• New Leadership might see...

Afreximbank Bonds Retain Market Confidence Despite Moody’s Downgrade
03

• Algeria grants commercial 5G licenses to top three telecom operators: Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo...

Algeria Awards Commercial 5G Licenses
04

• ECOWAS Bank funds 47.7-km stretch of strategic 700-km road project• Lagos-Calabar highway seen boo...

Nigeria Secures $100 mln ECOWAS Bank Loan for Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
05

• IFC teams up with AfDB and Nigeria’s EbonyLife to assess a new fund for African cinema• Sector cou...

IFC Plans Investment Fund to Help Grow African Film Industry
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.